Mary Lou Staton Wallace is a retired educator who worked in the field for 40 years, first as a second grade teacher and then as a school media specialist at both the elementary and high school levels. She was born in Spartanburg, SC, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and a Master of Library and Information Science Degree from the University of South Carolina.

Mary Lou began her journey with GFWC-SC in 1975, when she was a member of Aiken Junior Woman’s Club. In her 15 years with the club, she held many positions, including president. She is still remembered for the child car safety seat program she founded as a junior, writing grants and using club contributions to provide seats for rental for a nominal fee at the local hospital and health department. In 1995, she joined Sand River Woman’s Club, which she has served twice as president. She has received the Rebecca Robbins Award as her club’s outstanding member. She has served the past two years as secretary of the GFWC-SC Trustees for Progress Foundation.

Mary Lou is active in her community. She currently serves as secretary of the Aiken Civic Ballet Board of Directors and as treasurer for the Aiken Outreach Group for Life for Children Ministry (LCM). LCM works with HIV/AIDS orphans in Kenya, and Mary Lou has been to Kenya twice on mission trips. She has also served as president of the Aiken County League of Women Voters, the Aiken County Education Association, the Aiken County Media Educators, and St. John’s UMC United Methodist Women.

Mary Lou and her husband Jeff have three daughters, three sons-in-law, and six grandchildren. She and Jeff love to travel, and she enjoys reading and ornamental gardening.